A GDFL football club will honour First Nations people in the most striking of ways on Saturday in a historic first for the Hawks.
Co-coaches Jack Brauman and Ron Pilgrim raise the GDFL premiership cup.
Inverleigh will take on the Belmont Lions at Morton Power Oval on June 3 for round 8 of the GDFL, but the teams will be connected before they even run onto the ground: both will sport a new strip containing a special Indigenous design for its special NAIDOC clash.
It will be the first time Inverleigh has worn a First Nations-inspired jumper, making for a historic day for the club as they look to shore up a top five position on the ladder.
Club vice-captain Jarrod Love, who helped design the striking guernseys with his sister, curator and artist Tarryn – both proud Gunditjmara Keerray Woorroong people – said it was a collaboration and a celebration of both the club and First Nations people and its culture.
Both Inverleigh and Belmont Lions football clubs will wear Indigenous jumpers, modelled by players Jarrod Love and Mikali Harrison, when they meet on Saturday in the GDFL. Picture: Mark Wilson
The jumper bears a hawk – or a “ngeeyangarra” in his family’s native tongue Keerray Woorroong – and a Leigh River junction.
“She’s quite accomplished in this field,” Love said of his talented sister, with both hailing from the south Warrnambool area.
“She’s the artistic one who’s made it happen on the technical side of things.”
In fact their grandfather Ivan Couzens helped create a Keerray Woorroong dictionary and was a notable identity in the area.
Love said the idea was born before the season began with the club’s vice president Wayne McMeekin keen to honour the nation’s Indigenous heritage.
Jarrod and Tarryn began putting a plan into action several weeks ago, both believing: “if we’re going to do it, let’s do it properly”.
“We wanted it to be relatable to the area, we didn’t want it to just be any old design,” he said.
“Represent what Inverleigh is and our ties to that part of the world, really.
“It’s good to see community clubs embrace (the concept).
It’s the first time Inverleigh Football Club players have worn a First Nations-inspired jumper. Picture: Mark Wilson
“It’ll hit me on Saturday when everyone’s running around in the jumper that I’ve helped design.
“It’s such a privilege to even have input in on having the jumper. I’m quite grateful that Inverleigh’s given me the opportunity do it.”
Meanwhile, David Flagg, who designed the Lions’ jumper, said it captured the “warrior spirit”, depicting two boomerangs, the gathering place of Belmont FC and its long list of members, players and supporters.
“The seven shape boomerangs are for hunting or fighting,” Flagg said.
“They show strength and hardness but also used throughout ceremonies.”
Previous jumpers were designed by Wadda Wurrung traditional owners who played for the club.